Europe's Space Rider prototype crashes during test

The European Space Agency is testing a new reusable spacecraft called Space Rider. On October 6, a full-scale prototype of the vehicle crashed during a drop test. Instead of floating down safely, a parachute detached during the deployment sequence. This failure caused the vehicle to hit the ground hard.

Space Rider is meant to be Europe's first reusable orbiter. Its reentry module is designed to glide back to Earth under a parafoil after a mission. Losing the full-scale test model is a setback. ESA does not currently expect a delay, but says it will review the schedule after the investigation.

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Will the 2028 launch date actually hold? ESA is currently maintaining its target for an inaugural flight in the first half of 2028. The real test is how fast they can fix the parachute and build a new prototype.